Almost two-thirds of shoppers say they are less likely to return goods bought online than those they buy from a shop, according to a new Government-backed survey.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills says its findings are despite online shoppers being afforded more protection than those buying on the high street, in the form of a statutory seven-day ‘cooling-off’ period during which they can return purchases without affecting their rights.

UK consumers are the biggest users of internet shopping services in the whole of Europe. They spent GBP38billion online in 2009, which accounted for 10 per cent of total retail sales.

Among the survey’s findings were that:

- More than three-quarters of people surveyed didn’t know that they had different rights when buying online compared with making a shop purchase

- More than 60 per cent say they would be less likely to return goods bought online as against those bought in a shop, and

- More than one in eight of those questioned were unsure of their rights as an online buyer.

Consumer Minister Kevin Brennan said: “We are now Europe’s biggest online shoppers, so it’s important we all know that most online goods can be returned with no questions asked within seven days.

“We want confident consumers who can assert their rights and get a good deal.”

Michele Shambrook, operations manager for Consumer Direct said: “People who are knowledgeable about their rights are more likely to get a fair deal, save money and resolve problems when things go wrong.”